Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Lots of crochet patterns start out with a foundation chain followed by the instructions to make a single crochet into each chain. The problems are manifold: we lose count of our chain stitches, we recount, we rip out, we start over; we end up with an ungainly edge of chains that were too loosely constructed, or we discover a taut, unforgiving edge from chains that were too tightly constructed! It’s very hard to get right!

Enter the Foundation Single Crochet, an ingenious way to simultaneously create the foundation row and the first row of single crochets in one easy foundation row. Isn’t that amazing? Yes, it is!

Here’s how to do it…

Make a slip knot and chain 2.

Insert the hook from right to left under the top strands of the first chain. The pink here indicates the “top strands”…

And this is what inserting the hook under them looks like…

Yarn over and pull a stitch through. There are now two loops on the hook.

*Yarn over and loosely pull a stitch through the just the first loop. There are now two loops on the hook.

It may be a good idea to mark the chain you just made with a removable stitch marker or piece of scrap yarn since you’ll be coming back to it.

Yarn over and pull through both loops. There is now one loop on the hook.

Mark the stitch you just made with a removable stitch marker or piece of scrap yarn. It is your first single crochet!

Now locate the first stitch you marked. Remove the stitch marker and put the hook into the middle of that stitch, splitting the top strands and making sure the back strand of the stitch is on the left side of the hook. There should be two strands on the left of the hook and one strand on the right. Here’s where the hook will go…

And here is the hook in that place… Notice that there are two strands and one loop on the hook.

Yarn over and pull through the two strands. There are now two loops on the hook.

Repeat from * (eliminating the step where you mark the first single crochet) until you have as many single crochets as you need! Here’s a start:

The Foundation Single Crochet might be a little tricky the first time, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll be your new best friend!

Glad to see you guys utilizing this method. I was the one who initially posted about it here. I think it was on the Comments on the Granny Stripe Blanket. Anyway, well done on the tutorial and on sharing the technique!

I answered a similar question from Nancy. Here’s what I said… I hope it helps!

“You finish the first repeat with two loops on the hook, then you go back to where the asterisk is and start over with “Yarn over and loosely pull a stitch through the just the first loop. There are now two loops on the hook.” Continue following the instructions until they tell you to repeat from the asterisk, at which point you work through the same steps again.”

Does this make more sense to you both? Please let me know if you’re still stuck and at what point you’re stuck so we can help you move forward! Thanks so much for asking and good luck!

I’m wondering if there’s a way to use any of the foundation chains (sc, hdc dc) when the next row of the pattern asks you to skip 2 chains? I’ve recently learned how to do a foundation chain and really think they make everything SO much easier…but I’m not sure how skipping 2chain (which are actually 2foundation dc) will work out in the end. Help?

That is an excellent question. If a pattern uses single crochets, it will usually have you chain 1 stitch more than the actual number of stitches for the pattern. If it uses double crochet, it will have you chain 2 or 3 extra. Those extra stitches are just the amount of height you need for each row. If you are doing a foundation chain, you are actually making the first row as well as the chain at the same time. You only have to make as many foundations as the actual row.

Thanks for reaching out! It sounds like your pattern starts immediately with a patterned or open stitch in the first row, so I wouldn’t recommend substituting FSCs for the foundation chain. Since you are working into the 6th chain from the end, some of those chains will be part of the starting chain and some will be acting as a turning chain or the first double crochet of the row and possibly even forming a space, so it’s hard to say how many FSC to work instead without seeing the rest of your pattern. In addition, you will end up with a row of single crochets which are not part of the original pattern, so you may have to add a row of single crochets at the end so the other edge matches. Substituting FSCs for the starting chain works best when the pattern already starts with a row of plain single crochet!

Well, I’m working in the round and has me start with an fsc. Then I sl st to the top. Which is generally usually the side with the hook, and the bottom the side with the handle. My question is a two parter..:Is top and bottom still as I described? Or opposite?
And how do I transition to the next row or round if it is opposite (sc on bottom as tutorial shows)?

I’m not sure I totally understand your situation, but it may help clear things up to hear that the single crochets are on top of the chain, not the bottom. If you look at the last photo in the tutorial, you’ll see that the row of single crochets runs along the top of the chain.

Does that help? If not, please let us know and we’ll try to work it out with you!

Yes, just as if you were bringing the ends of a foundation chain together, you simply make your joining stitch into the first single crochet you made (make sure the foundation chain isn’t twisted). Use the starting tail to sew closed the little gap that you may find at the join.

I hope this gets you on the right path. Please let us know if you have any more questions and thanks for this one!

I had tried to learn fsc from other tutorials, but none of them “stuck”, and mine never looked like any of the pictures. With this tutorial, I got it right away and I could tell it was just like your examples. Thank you VERY much!

You finish the first repeat with two loops on the hook, then you go back to where the asterisk is and start over with “Yarn over and loosely pull a stitch through the just the first loop. There are now two loops on the hook.” Continue following the instructions until they tell you to repeat from the asterisk, at which point you work through the same steps again.

As for the marked stitches, at the end of the first repeat you should have just one marked stitch, your first single crochet, which, if you are working in the round, is where you will start the next round.

Does this clarify things for you? If not, please let us know specifically where things are getting confused and we’ll sort it all out for you! Thanks so much for your questions and good luck!

I think it is definitely a good idea to learn a regular foundation chain first! There are a lot of patterns out there where the FSC would not be appropriate, and you would need to use a regular chain for those!

Great tutorial, I’m still a beginner but I understood this very easily!

It may be a silly question but once I have as many single crochets as I need, I still have two loops on the needle. Do I just yarn over, pull through both loops and continue as usual with the next row?

We’re so glad you liked the tutorial! You should pull the left loop on your hook through the right hook. If you’re crocheting a flat piece, don’t forget to yarn over before you start the next round to keep a sharper edge. Sounds like you’re on the right track!

Hello Caden!
The benefit of this technique is that it makes the beginning of your project look more finished and makes the first row if crocheting not such a hassle! It really is just an aesthetic preference. If you are more comfortable starting off with a standard chain, by all means go for it!

Another way that works for me, Caden, is to do the regular chain to start, but then do my first row — of whatever stitch — in the *bottom*, or underside, of the starting chain, rather than in the top (through one loop rather than the usual two, flipping it to start the first “real” row after the chain).

That way the edge looks more finished, because there are two loops on the bottom, so it matches the two loops at the top of the finished piece. This is especially useful/aesthetic if you don’t do an edging.

You still have to make sure the starting chain isn’t tighter or looser than the rest of the work, which I think is why many people use this foundation single crochet (fsc) to start a piece, because that can be difficult.

I just learned the fsc here (thanks!), and it may come in handy, but not right now — I just wanted to know what it was, after 30 years of crocheting! 🙂

This is a very common issue with new techniques and any foundation stitches! I would recommend doing this step on a larger hook than you intend to use for the rest of your project, just to give you some extra space and therefore stretch.

When you say left-handed, does this mean that you hold the hook in your left hand? I’ve seen many left handed knitters and crocheters using their right hand, but holding the working yarn in their lefts.

If you are holding your hook in your left hand, one trick we’ve recommended is to hold up a mirror to the tutorials so that you can simply reverse the orientation of the instructions! We hope this helps a bit! Best of luck! -Alyson

Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately we do not currently have tutorials for your request, but will keep it in mind for future videos. I always like to search YouTube if there isn’t a tutorial on the Purl site. Good luck!

Here is hoping that you don’t think I am totally mad. I have had a practice at this and it is brilliant. I am new to crochet and what I can’t work out is…..this is effectively your ‘cast on’ (chain) then first row all done together? What do you do if the first row of your pattern is a sc in first chain, then chain 1, miss a chain and sc in the next? I assume this just means you have to do the whole chain then row one – and you can’t use this clever technique?

Thanks for writing in and our apologies for the delayed response! You have it correct! This acts as the foundation and first row. If your first row differs, this technique may not work for your project!

I printed out the instructions my question is this do you use this only when you are doing an afghan/blanket using only sc? I would like to do a Chevron afghan would I be able to use this on that pattern? Thanks for all your advice.

Hi good morning
Yesterday I purchased the crochet kids bag pdf.
Until now I only did amigurumi with the magic ring.
I’m having difficulties in understanding the instructions for the backpack, i understood the foundation chain but afterwards its not very clear. Any chance of sending a video or clearer instructions?
Thanks in advance
Shelley Sorek

Thanks for reaching out! Is this a pattern you purchased from Purl Soho? I’m not familiar with any crocheted kids bags that we carry, but if you can point me in the right direction, I’d be happy to help!

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